Prospections

Within the long-term research itinerary Propositions for Non-Fascist Living (2017–2021), BAK asked artists, philosophers, scholars, and activists from multiple (political) geographies facing contemporary fascisms how they engage with the question of what constitutes non-fascist living. The responses are 1–5 minute video statements recorded with technology at hand: mobile phones, voice recorders, Skype. These diverse perspectives are published online and screened at performative conferences. Online and offline, they become part of a growing constellation of reflections on ways to think, act, and bring about non-fascist living. 

In light of the devastating war on Ukraine, we republish the video statement made by Oleksiy Radynski (filmmaker and writer, Kyiv) in 2017. Herewith the transcript:

Sasha Kolchenko is an anti-fascist from Crimea, Ukraine.

In Spring 2014, he was protesting against the military occupation of Crimea by the Russian troops, aided by the far-right militants. 

In May 2014, Kolenchko, together with the filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, was arrested by the occupational forces.

Both were accused of participatiing in the far-right Ukrainian group called the Right Sector.

Kolchenko and Sentsov were put on a show trial in a Russian court.

Both were sentenced to 10 and 20 years in prison, respectively, on fictive charges of terrorism.

The Right Sector, to which they never belonged, is a darling of Russian media.

They utilize it to present the imperialist war in East Ukraine as “anti-fascist struggle.”

Sasha Kolchenko is an anti-fascist  jailed for participating in a movement he was struggling against.

This is the punishment for refusing to live a fascist life, a life under military occupation.

Kolchenko and Sentsov live non-fascist lives in Russian prison camps.